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| Anthony de Francisci | |
| Birth name | Antonio de Francisci |
| Born | July 13, 1887 Palermo, Italy |
| Died | October 20, 1964 Manhattan, New York |
| Nationality | Italian-American |
| Field | Sculpting |
| Works | Peace Dollar |
| Patrons | U.S. Mint |
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Anthony (Antonio) de Francisci (b. July 13, 1887 in Palermo, Italy, d. October 20, 1964 in Manhattan, New York) was an Italian-American sculptor who designed a number of United States coins and medals. His most famous design was the Peace Dollar, which was first minted in 1921.[1]
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Early Life & Training
De Francisci immigrated to the United States in 1905[2] and became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1913.[3] He was the son of Benedetto de Francisci and Maria Liberante and was married to Mary Teresa Cafarelli. De Francisci "studied under some very fine coin designers: Fraser, MacNeil, and Weinman."[4]
Works
Peace Dollar
Late in 1921, the Commission of Fine Arts held a competition for the design of a new silver dollar and invited "eight prominent sculptors to participate."[5] Several of the entrants had already designed U.S. coins and achieved considerable fame. Although the youngest participant and a novice coin designer, de Francisci "won the competition and took home the $1,500 cash prize."[5] Regarding this event, "The Dec. 20, 1920, issue of the Baltimore Sun reported…'Eight medalists, all of them from New York, were in the competition for the award. The designs in bas-relief were exhibited privately in the office of [Mint Director Raymond T. Baker], after he had shown the winning one to President Harding. The President expressed his pleasure and approval.'"[5] Becoming the designer of the Peace Dollar and receiving considerable publicity as a result of this accomplishment greatly boosted the reputation of de Francisci, taking his career to a whole new level.
De Francisci used his wife Mary Teresa as the model for the Liberty head of the Peace Dollar[1] and when asked about its design, de Francisci "told a newspaper columnist that the portrait was not a 'photograph' of Mrs. de Francisci but was a 'composite' face that 'typified something of America'"[5] De Francisci also said about the design of the Peace Dollar "that his goal was to capture the spirit of the country--its intellectual speed, vigor and vitality."[5]
Other Works
De Francisci created the 1920 Maine Centennial commemorative half dollar.[6] Also, de Francisci designed the World War II honorable discharge button, unofficially known as the "ruptured duck." The button was intended for wear as a lapel pin on civilian clothing to recognize military service. However, the military did not issue the button. Instead, it was available by private purchase.
According to his wife, de Francisci greatly admired Abraham Lincoln and featured the slain president on many of his personal works.[7] He designed a Lincoln medal for the Hall of Fame for Great Americans in New York.[7] In addition, de Francisci designed the inaugural medal for the 1964/1965 New York World's Fair.[6]
Footnotes
- ^ a b Van Allen, Leroy C. and A. George Mallis. Comprehensive Catalogue and Encyclopedia of U.S. Morgan and Peace Silver Dollars, 2d ed. (New York: Arco Publishing Company, Inc., 1977), 264.
- ^ U.S. Immigration Service. List or Manifest of Alien Passengers for the U.S. Immigration Officer at Port of Arrival (Ship Manifest), Immigration Service Form 1500 B. S.S. Sicilian sailing from Napoli on November 16, 1905 and arriving in Port of New York on December 1, 1905. American Family Immigration History Center (Ellis Island Archives) posted this manifest online at www.ellisisland.org.
- ^ Marotta, Michael E. "The Peace Dollar", Coin-Gallery Online website, 2000. Accessed September 3, 2007.
- ^ Hagans, William. "A Man of Many Hats", Coins, February 2000, 77.
- ^ a b c d e LaMarre, Tom. "The Dollar Daze of 1921", Coins, October 1999, 56-57.
- ^ a b Howe, Marvine. "Teresa De Francisci, Miss Liberty Model For Coin, Dies at 92", New York Times, October 21, 1990. Accessed November 26, 2007.
- ^ a b LaMarre, Tom. "Lincoln Treasures", Coins, July 1999, 55.
External links
- "Antonio de Francisci - The Veteran's Engraver". Excellent background on Anthony de Francisci.
- Artist Anthony de Francisci. Anthony de Francisci featured on Smithsonian American Art Museum website. Includes examples of his work preserved at the Smithsonian Institution.
- "The Peace Dollar" (includes a biography)
